Shloka 24

Devanagari script

महाकोलाहलो जातो रणमध्ये भयंकरः । वीरशब्दो बभूवाथ गणमध्ये समंततः

Transliteration

mahākolāhalo jāto raṇamadhye bhayaṃkaraḥ | vīraśabdo babhūvātha gaṇamadhye samaṃtataḥ

Translation

Sa gitna ng labanan ay sumiklab ang isang nakapanghihilakbot na napakalakas na kaguluhan; at pagkatapos, sa lahat ng panig sa hanay ng mga gaṇa ni Śiva, umalingawngaw ang sigaw na “Vīra! Vīra!” (Bayani!).

Word by Word

• महाकोलाहलः: a great uproar
• महाकोलाहलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाकोलाहल (प्रातिपदिक; components: महा + कोलाहल)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st case/nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• जातः: arose/was born
• जातः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जात (कृदन्त; past passive participle from धातु √जन्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate)

• रणमध्ये: in the midst of battle
• रणमध्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण-मध्य (प्रातिपदिक; components: रण + मध्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचन (singular)

• भयंकरः: terrifying
• भयंकरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भयंकर (प्रातिपदिक; components: भय + कर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st case/nominative), एकवचन (singular); विशेषण (qualifier of महाकोलाहलः)

• वीरशब्दः: a hero-cry / shout of warriors
• वीरशब्दः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर-शब्द (प्रातिपदिक; components: वीर + शब्द)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st case/nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• बभूव: became/was
• बभूव: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु √भू)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/अनन्तरवाचक-अव्यय (particle: then/now)

• गणमध्ये: in the midst of the gaṇas (troops)
• गणमध्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण-मध्य (प्रातिपदिक; components: गण + मध्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचन (singular)

• समन्ततः: on all sides
• समन्ततः: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place: on all sides)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse portrays the gaṇas’ fearless, dharma-aligned valor as an expression of steadfast devotion to Pati (Śiva). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, courage here is not mere aggression but disciplined participation in the Lord’s order, where the devotee’s will aligns with Śiva’s will.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The gaṇas’ “Vīra” acclamation reflects Saguna Śiva’s manifest sovereignty—His retinue acts as extensions of His power (śakti) in the world. For devotees, Linga worship trains the mind to recognize that all strength and victory ultimately belong to Śiva, the indwelling Lord represented by the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is cultivating vīrya (spiritual strength) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and fearlessness—so the inner ‘battle’ is faced with devotion and clarity.